what did jane goodall do

Jane Goodall was a renowned British ethologist and primatologist who revolutionized the study of chimpanzees and animal behavior. Beginning her fieldwork in Tanzania in 1960, she studied wild chimpanzees closely, observing that they nurture their young, establish complex social hierarchies, use tools, and hunt for meat, which challenged previous beliefs about animal behavior. Her approach was unorthodox, interacting with the chimpanzees as individuals rather than as detached subjects, which gained both acclaim and criticism. Goodall founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977, which supports conservation efforts, chimpanzee rehabilitation, and community-centered environmental programs primarily in Africa. She also started the global youth program Roots & Shoots to engage young people in conservation. Throughout her life, she became a global advocate for animal rights, environmental protection, and sustainability, working to raise awareness about threats to chimpanzees due to habitat loss and illegal trade, and promoting conservation worldwide. Her scientific legacy, activism, and contributions to understanding our closest living relatives and nature made her an iconic figure in science and conservation until her passing in 2025.